Page 168 of Banter & Blushes

Viki and I had a good relationship post-divorce, and she and Arwyn had gotten connected through video calls with the girls. When Viki’s schedule allowed, she joined us via video chat for the nightly bedtime readings.

“Hey, Zak. Just two quick things. I know you’re busy.”

“It’s fine. What’s up?” It was unusual for her to call; she almost always texted, so I knew this had to be important.

“Did you sign with Montreal yet?”

I let out a frustrated breath through my nose. “Not yet,” I said shortly. “But I will. I told you, they’re still working out details. I?—”

“Don’t.”

Huh?Had I heard her right? “What do you mean, ‘don’t’?”

“Don’t sign with them, Zaki. Stay in Colorado. You love it there, and they need you. There’s no way you’ll even get close to winning a Stanley Cup with the Saints. I?—”

I cut her off and tried to keep my tone even. “Some things are more important than winning a Stanley Cup. Like my kids. No chance I’m signing anycontract that keeps me away from them. Last fall was the worst time of my life with the girls in Montreal with you while I stayed in Colorado. And you know what that feels like, because they haven’t lived with you since December.”

“I know. I’ve done a lot of thinking over the last month. Lauren and Jason visited with their kids last weekend, and I realized how much I missed them and all my friends in Colorado. We practically grew up there, you and me. This last year, being home … It’s not the same as it was before we left. All last fall, the girls told me more times than I could count how much they missed Denver. I couldn’t have imagined they’d feel displaced at only five years old. It was all they knew. Their friends are there, their ballet school, everyone they know and feel safe with. And Arwyn has her business there. It makes more sense for me to go back than for all of you to uproot your life on my account.”

I leaned back against the lodge, stunned. “Are you serious?” My tone was soft, laced with hope, vulnerable. This was the last thing I’d expected.

“I am. Lauren told me about the townhouses under construction in her neighborhood. It’s equal distance from Palmer City to Denver. Only thirty minutes to the girls’ school. Isla and Amelie are my world, too, Zaki, and I want them to be happy most of all.”

“Wow. I—I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’ll call your agent and restart talks with the Edge.”

“Yeah. Yeah, I will.” I sank to the ground and stared out into the trees. My head felt foggy, like I was in a dream.

“One more thing,” Viki said.

“Yeah?”

“My parents feel weird about going to your wedding Sunday. Can you call them and tell them they’re being ridiculous?”

“Why do they feel weird?” I’d moved in with Viki and her family to play hockey when I was sixteen. Our moms were best friends, having been roommates in college. I was just as close to her parents as I was to my own.

“Zak, if you can’t figure that out on your own … Never mind. Just please call them again and tell them how much you’re looking forward to seeing them and that the girls miss them, whatever you need to say. They should be there.”

“Yeah, I can do that.”

“Call your agent first.”

“’Kay. Vik?”

“Yeah?”

“Thank you.”

I ended the call and pulled myself to my feet, walking in a daze to the dining room. Before I called my agent, I needed to know what Arwyn thought.

She was sipping blueberry iced tea when I sank into the chair across from her. “I have some big news.” I quickly filled her in.

Her eyes went wide as I relayed the conversation. “And you’re sure she won’t change her mind?” Arwyn asked.

I shook my head. “I don’t think so. But maybe I should wait on signing anything until she buys a place?”

Arwyn reached for my hand. “Whatever you decide, I’m with you.”

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